Machu PicchuMachu Picchu

By Sanjeev Velayudhan

Introduction:-Introduction:-

Machu Picchu is one of Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist the most visited tourist attraction in the Peru.attraction in the Peru.

Machu Picchu is a Pre-Machu Picchu is a Pre-columbian 15th century columbian 15th century Inca site located about Inca site located about 2430 meters (7,970 ft) 2430 meters (7,970 ft) above the sea Level. above the sea Level.

Location:-Location:-

Machu Picchu is Machu Picchu is situated on a situated on a mountain ridge above mountain ridge above the Urabumba Valley the Urabumba Valley in Peru which is 80 in Peru which is 80 Kilometers north west Kilometers north west of Cusco and through of Cusco and through which the Urabumba which the Urabumba river flows.river flows.

History:-History:-

Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca Emperor “Pachacuti”.Emperor “Pachacuti”.

Machu Picchu was constructed in AD 1450 at Machu Picchu was constructed in AD 1450 at the height of Inca Empire.the height of Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu is often referred as “The lost city Machu Picchu is often referred as “The lost city of the Incas”.of the Incas”.

The archeologist believe that most of the The archeologist believe that most of the inhabitants died due to Smallpox.inhabitants died due to Smallpox.

The rediscovery of Machu Picchu:-

The ruins of Machu Picchu has got international The ruins of Machu Picchu has got international attention in 1911 by American Historian Hiram attention in 1911 by American Historian Hiram Bingham.Bingham.

In April 1913 Machu Picchu received significant In April 1913 Machu Picchu received significant publicity after the National Geographic society devoted publicity after the National Geographic society devoted their entire issue. their entire issue.

In 1983 Machu Picchu was declared as World Heritage In 1983 Machu Picchu was declared as World Heritage site by UNESCO.site by UNESCO.

In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the New In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven wonders of the World.Seven wonders of the World.

The space is composed of 140 construction including temple, sanctuaries, parks and residence homes with

thatched roofs.

The Architecture of Machu Picchu:-

All the construction in the Machu All the construction in the Machu Picchu uses the classic Inca Picchu uses the classic Inca architectural style of polished dry-architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape. The stone walls of regular shape. The Inca were the master of this Inca were the master of this technique, technique, called ashlars called ashlars , in which , in which the block of stones are cut to fit the block of stones are cut to fit together tightly without mortar.together tightly without mortar.

How they moved and placed How they moved and placed enormous block of stone is a enormous block of stone is a mystery, although the general belief mystery, although the general belief is that they used hundreds of men to is that they used hundreds of men to push the stones up the Inclined push the stones up the Inclined planesplanes

Religious beliefs & Gods:-Religious beliefs & Gods:-

The sun was a very important part of the Inca The sun was a very important part of the Inca beliefbelief..

““IntiInti” the Sun God was often prayed to for water, a ” the Sun God was often prayed to for water, a good crop, and a good weather.good crop, and a good weather.

The Archeologist has termed Machu Picchu as the The Archeologist has termed Machu Picchu as the birth place of the Incans “Virgins of the Sun”.birth place of the Incans “Virgins of the Sun”.

In Machu Picchu the three sacred district are In Machu Picchu the three sacred district are

1.1. The Intihuatanta The Intihuatanta

2.2. The temple of the Suns.The temple of the Suns.

3.3. The Room of Three windowsThe Room of Three windows..

The Intihuatana Stone:-The Intihuatana Stone:-

The Intihuatana stone is The Intihuatana stone is one of the ritual stones one of the ritual stones in South America.in South America.

It is designed as an It is designed as an Astronomic clock or a Astronomic clock or a Calendar by the Incas.Calendar by the Incas.

It is often expressed as It is often expressed as “The Hitching Post of “The Hitching Post of the Sun” because it was the Sun” because it was supposed to hold the supposed to hold the Sun in its place.Sun in its place.

Machu Picchu is located about 2,430 meters above sea level.

All visits to Machu Picchu at some point leave from Cusco, which can be reached via

a domestic flight from Lima, or international flight from La Paz, in Bolivia.

Many tourists take morning train from Cusco (3.5 hours journey) explore the ruins for a few hours and return to Cusco in the afternoon. From Puente

Ruinas station buses take tourists up the mountain to Machu Picchu.

Thousands of tourists hike the Inca Trail – each year, a two to four day journey on foot

from the Urubamba valley up through the Andes mountain range.

They require travelers to be reasonably fit. The trip involves sleeping in tents.

Lamas roam freely over the entire site

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